St. Landry democrat., 1887-11-12

"Sir," began Mr.. Van Buren,, 1.-THE
terms east and west are relative, and
"Thank YOU, sir" answered the man.
II have lost my bet
Van Buren, and Irving travelled much
together in England, where the future
President attracted great social attention.
| mentioned to Mr.. Irving that | had
seen their names together in the visi-
tors book at Shakspeare's house, STRAIT
ford On-Avon, and also that as soon as
the landlord of the "Red Horse Inn"
found that | was an American he brought
in copy of the sketch Book" Mr..
Irving then told me that going to that little
hostelrie again with Mr. Van Buren,, after
an interval of twenty years, both were
much amused at an old woman, one Of
the servants, rushing in with the identical
poker with which Mr.. Irving had stirred
the fire, and saying to him: "Sir, you see
I've kept your sceptre safe" 1t seems
that after Irving had, by his paper on
Shakespeare, in the "Sketch Book"
made the Red Horse Inn famous, this
woman had secured the poker to keep
it from being carried off by any preda-
cious relicmonger, and had with loyal
faith preserved it, to restore only to the
American sovereign" who could right
fully claim it. The morning passed
delightfully."-, varied by long stroll about
the grounds and several beautiful and
extensive estates adjoining, belonging
TO friends and relatives of Irving. who
thus add, as he said, to his own domains
at will without cost. The noble river
swept past the scene with incessant
change Of life in its White-winged
craft an1 c,rift ctr
could have one surveyed the
lordly Hudson under more happy circum-
stances in the companionship of the man
who had done the most to make it
famous since the days of it's discoverer
Dinner was at length announced, at
which we were Joined by Mr.. Irving's
brother and his four daughters. The
brother was very deaf, so could not Join
III the conversation, but the young ladies
were very charming and devoted to heir
distinguished uncle, and he as fond of
them, he told me, as if they were his own
children. The day happened to be the
one on which the Crystal Palace in New
York was formally opened to the public
by President Franklin Pierce Mr.. Irving
had been invited to attend the ceremony,
but most fortunately for me he had de-
clined the invitation through his usual
aversion to mixing with large assem-
hlages. This led him from President
Pierce to interesting "reminiscences of
the early Presidents, and of the brilliant
society of Washington city before the
regime of Jackson. Mr.. Irving had never
one bitter word to say of any one; he
seemed anxious to do full justice to all his
contemporaries He spoke
most kindly of Mr.. Kennedy's author
ship, and pronounced "Horseshoe Rob
lnson' one of the best of American
novels, and true picture of the Caro-
linas in the dark days of the Revolution.
VI the Baltimore women he was most
admirer Himself a man of
the purest moral character, he was vet
an intense worshiper of female beauty.
lie mentioned to me the name of Young
lady OF Baltimore whom he considered
one OF the most beautiful girls he had
ever seen. l happened to think of
another, cousin of the one he meant,
and OF the same name, who was not so
for personal charms, and
.hus answered rather inditferently. Mr.
irving atterWard went to Saratoga, and
meeting with the kennedys, seemed to take
It quite to heart that | did Rot appreciate
ne loneliness OF the lady. This was told
ne, and after l had seen more of her
wrote to Mr.. Irving that l was COM
0lete convert to his views He replied
much gratitied and added
n his note, when you have seen as
much Of the world and it's loyeliest
women as have, you will know how
are such beauty is" 1t was indeed of
he rarest type. The lady afterward
married gentleman of Boston, and still
'esides there
Many pleasant anecdote did Mr.. r.
ing continue to relate of his European
experiences, especially of his long So
ourn in Spain. The versatility of his
mind has been thoroughly exemplifed by
rs amusing stories of the grave old Dutch
burghers and the mad pranks
played upon Ichabod Crane, in
contrast with the chivalrous
forays of Spanish knighthood
y against the dusky Moor. And
!, when at the close of most de-
II lightiul day | took my leave, it
| I seemed as if my own cloud
"CaSleS in Spain had become